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UNDP / EQUATOR PRIZE
STORY: UNDP / EQUATOR PRIZE
TRT: 4:59
SOURCE: UNDP
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH /NATS
DATELINE: 22 SEPTEMBER 2014, NEW YORK CITY
1. Wide shot, Lincoln Center auditorium.
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Connie Britton, Actress and UNDP Goodwill Ambassador:
“Tonight we are celebrating heroes. These are true heros in our world, courageous leaders and they all are representing in their own way grassroots innovation in extraordinary ways. We are going to meet indigenous and community based organizations that are forging bold and creative pathways to a more sustainable and equitable world.”
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Edward Norton, UN Goodwill Ambassador for Biodiversity:
“Someone from some news organization asked me if I thought that 400,000 people from all over the world marching in New York City demanding action on climate change was a signal that it was time to take stock. And I said no. The time for taking stock is many many years in the rearview mirror. The time to take appropriate action on climate change and environmental degradation is already fading in the rearview mirror. The time that we’re at is for aggressive action. 400,000 people in the street and many hundreds of thousands more all over the world is an aggressive demand. It is an informed civilian populace that knows and is demanding action that can only come from national and international leadership.”
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Helen Clark, UNDP Administrator:
“(indigenous)… I’ve greeted you in the language of the indigenous people of my country the [Ateroa] New Zealand, greeting the people the tribes the language the chiefs. Good evening everybody and welcome to the Equator Prize.”
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Jane Goodall, Founder, Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace:
“We all know by now the value of the forest. We’ve heard about it tonight. It provides what we call services. And we know too the downside when forests are destroyed, these amazing lungs of the world that breathe out oxygen and absorb CO2. And when they are destroyed the CO2 emissions is one of the main causes of global warming.”
6. Pan left, the winners onstage,
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Hans Brattskar, State Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Norway:
“As part of our 2016 to 2020 Civil Society support, Norway will contribute at least 100 million dollars to support indigenous peoples and forest dwelling societies.”
8. Med shot, Jackson Browne performing music onstage,
9. Various shots, winners onstage,
10. Med shot, Justin Vernon of Bon Iver performing music onstage,
11. Various shots, winners onstage,
12. Med shot, Feist performing music onstage,
13. SOUNDBITE (English) Al Gore, Former US Vice President:
"Congratulations to all 25 winners tonight. You are inspiring. Thank you for what you have done. You are an inspiration. I’ll tell you if you all can do so much with so little, why can’t governments do more with all of their resources that they have. What about that march! Wasn’t that great? Thank you for taking… how many of you all took part in the march? Could I see a show of hands. All right."
14. Wide shot, all of the winners onstage.
Speaking candidly and from the heart, Al Gore, Edward Norton, Connie Britton and others called on individuals, businesses and governments alike, to find inspiration in the grassroots initiatives like those demonstrated by the UNDP Equator Prize 2014 winners.
These local and indigenous communities, many of which are led by women, are on the frontlines of poverty and environmental challenges, delivering sustainable livelihoods and mitigating climate change in the process. They are living proof that there is power in local action.
Alongside hosts Connie Britton and Edward Norton, UNDP Administrator Helen Clark kicked off the awards ceremony for the 2014 Equator Prize at Lincoln Center in New York City, in the language of the indigenous people of New Zealand.
“I’ve greeted you in the language of the indigenous people of my country the [Ateroa] New Zealand, greeting the people the tribes the language the chiefs. Good evening everybody and welcome to the Equator Prize,” continued Clark to rapturous applause.
The Equator Initiative brought together the United Nations, governments, civil society, businesses and grassroots organizations to recognize and advance local sustainable development solutions for people, nature and resilient communities.
The Equator Prize is awarded biennially to recognize and advance local sustainable development solutions for people, nature and resilient communities. As local and indigenous groups across the world chart a path towards sustainable development, the Equator Prize shines a spotlight on their efforts by honoring them on an international stage.
Adding to the celebrations, Hans Brattskar, of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Norway used the occasion to announce financial support for the world’s indigenous peoples. “As part of our 2016 to 2020 Civil Society support, Norway will contribute at least 100 million dollars to support indigenous peoples and forest dwelling societies,” said Brattskar.
Former US Vice President Al Gore closed the evening congratulating the winners, and said “ You are an inspiration. I’ll tell you if you all can do so much with so little, why can’t governments do more with all of their resources that they have.”
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